fr3jv^    BOSTON  1 A    Mffi! 

iirTTrSiK;''''   condita  a.d.  ^^J/MiiM 


li  111,..  ,„i^i  M^Ox,,^^  DO^^M^)i'H;il 


-^^SSmMSisMJJSMJi^ 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


\J    KJ   \J    U  U   I    L-*    I'  '  • 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  DEDICATION 


FOUNTAIN  ON  EATON  SQUARE, 

WARD   24, 

OCTOBER    24,    1885, 


IN    MEMORY    OF 


THEODORE    LYMAN,    JR., 


Mayor  of  Boston  in  1834-35. 


v^°       '^. 


■•v^ 


BOSTON: 
PRINTED   BY   ORDER  OF   THE   CITY   COUNCIL. 

MDCCCLXXXVI. 


PRESS  OF 


*ROCKWELL&l 


CHURCHmi=?f 


BOSTON. 


CONTENTS. 


Preface     7 

Biographical   Sketch       ..........  13 

Description   of   the   Fountain       ........  21 

The   Dedication        ...........  27 

Correspondence        49 

The   Contribdtors   ...........  61 


PREFACE. 


Boston,  October  28,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sir,  —  The  interesting  and  successful  dedication  of  the 
Lyman  Fountain  at  Dorchester,  October  24,  was  an  occasion  of  wliich 
many  citizens  of  Boston  and  other  places  desire  a  more  complete 
history  than  has  been  given,  and  to  this  end  I  have  been  requested 
to  collect  and  arrange  the  speeches,  letters,  and  other  material  having 
reference  to  the  event.  The  story  and  commemorative  purpose  of 
the  fountain  may  be  familiar  to  the  Boston  public  of  to-day,  but,  to 
give  this  memorial  lasting  value,  it  should  contain  a  statement  of  the 
origin,  construction,  and  motive  of  this  conspicuous  tribute  to  an 
eminent  citizen.  To  your  zeal  and  wise  counsel  Boston  is  primai'ily 
indebted  for  this  beautiful  testimonial  to  a  public  benefactor,  and  I 
appeal  to  you  for  a  statement  of  such  facts  as  you  may  think  proper 
to  give. 

Very  truly  yours, 

ROBERT   G.   FITCH. 


Mt.  Ida,  Dorchester,  Nov.  18,  1885. 

My  dear  Sik,  —  In  reply  to  your  inquiry  respecting  the  origin  of 
the  Lyman  Fountain  I  could  say  much,  but  I  am  limited  by  the  oc- 
casion to  express  m3self  briefly. 

It  was  my  great  privilege  to  enjoy  the  friendship  and  confidence  of 
Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  at  an  early  period  of  my  manhood,  though  he 
was  twelve  years  my  senior. 

He  was  a  gentleman  of  a  very  superior  mind,  highly  cultivated,  and 
enriched  by  extensive  and  practical  knowledge.  It  was  graced  with 
those  genial  amenities  which  give  charm  to  character  and  influence  to 


8  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

counsel.  While  he  was  an  independent  thinker,  and  of  firm  con- 
victions, he  was  modest  in  estimating  his  own  opinions,  and  scrupu- 
lously just  in  his  judgment  of  otliers.  With  all  the  dignity  natural  to 
the  highest  standard  of  honor  and  self-respect,  he  was  graciously 
attentive  to  all  classes  who  approached  him  for  aid  or  advice.  His 
polished  manner  and  habits  of  intelligent  good-will  and  candor 
gained  him  many  admiring  friends,  who  always  found  him  a  patient 
listener  and  a  safe  adviser.  He  flattered  no  one,  and  no  one  pre- 
sumed to  flatter  him,  for  he  saw  no  merit  in  conduct  not  based  upon 
truth  and  duty. 

His  first  appearance  before  the  public  was  in  his  work  on  the 
"Political  Condition  of  Italy,"  published  in  1818,  an  interesting 
book  of  singular  merit  and  much  wisdom.  In  1820  he  delivered  an 
oration  on  the  Fourth  of  July  before  the  town  authorities  of  Boston, 
in  which  may  be  found  instructive  examples  of  patriotic  foresight  in 
regard  to  the  imperative  duties  and  needs  of  the  American  republic. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Massachusetts 
from  1820  to  1823,  and  of  the  Senate  in  1824,  always  making 
for  himself  a  noble  record  of  usefulness.  In  1826  he  published  a 
work  entitled  "The  Diplomacy  of  the  United  States, — being  an 
Account  of  the  Foreign  Relations  of  the  Country,  from  the  first 
treaty  with  France,  1778,  to  the  present  time,"  an  able  and  impor- 
tant work  of  two  volumes,  octavo,  which  passed  to  a  second  edition  in 
1828.  This  work  evinced  great  labor  and  accuracy,  and  afforded  a 
just  idea  of  the  author's  comprehensive  mind,  and  of  his  views  as  to 
true  statesmanship. 

This  was  a  period  when  men  of  the  past,  and  young  men  of  the 
da}',  gave  their  special  attention  to  the  nature  of  political  parties, 
and  to  the  principles  which  led  to  their  organization.  General 
Lyman  was  not  slow  to  understand  the  crisis,  and  he  did  not  hesitate 
to  leave  the  party  with  which  he  had  been  identified,  and  to  give  his 
influence  in  favor  of  Andrew  Jackson  for  the  presidency.  That  he 
was  not  influenced  by  any  selfish  or  ambitious  motives  in  such  a 
change  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  after  the  election  he  de- 
clined to  be  a  candidate  for  any  office  witiiin  the  gift  of  the  Federal 
Government,  though  eminently  fitted  for  tlie  highest. 

When  he  consented  to  be  a  candidate  for  the  mayoralty 
of  Boston  he  was   influenced  bv  disinterested  motives  to  serve  the 


PREFACE.  9 

city,  and  to  assert  the  diguity  of  his  character,  which  had  been  mis- 
represented by  thoughtless  partisans. 

Knowing  him  so  well,  and  having  personal  knowledge  of  his 
motives  and  views  of  public  duty,  I  became  an  admirer  of  his  noble 
character.  I  respected  and  honored  him  as  a  man,  and  loved  him  as 
a  friend.  By  his  considerate  munificence  he  became  a  public  bene- 
factor. 

As  he  was  the  first  to  propose  the  introduction  of  water  into  the 
city  of  Boston,  I  felt  that  a  proper  monument  to  his  memory  would 
be  a  Fountain,  and  as  Eaton  square,  in  Ward  24,  was  a  sightly 
and  beautiful  spot,  I  selected  it  as  an  eligible  locality  upon  which  to 
place  it. 

But  in  giving  these  details,  which  are  mostly  personal  to  myself,  I 
beg  to  ask  attention  to  the  interesting  fact,  which  affords  me  much 
gratification,  that  so  many  influential  citizens  of  Boston  have  cheer- 
fully cooperated  with  me  in  collecting  the  means  to  secure  a  result 
which  has  been  received  with  so  much  popular  favor.  And  in  this 
connection  I  desire  to  commend  the  very  prompt  action  of  the  City 
Government  in  v^oting  an  appropriation  from  the  Phillips  Fund, 
which  gave  success  to  the  Memorial  which  has  been  dedicated. 
These  creditable  acts,  and  the  list  of  contributors,  make  an  essential 
part  of  the  monument. 

Let  the  Fountain  be  looked  upon  not  only  for  its  beautiful  display 
of  the  graceful  streams  and  cascades  of  water  in  the  sunlight,  but 
as  a  standing  lesson  in  honor  of  human  goodness  to  be  found  in  the 
examples  of  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  in  his  public  and  private  life. 

Believe  me. 

Ever  faithfully  yours, 

NAHUM  CAPEN. 

Robert   G.  Fitch,  Esq.,   Boston,  Mass. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH, 


Theodore  Lyjian,  Jr.,  in  honor  of  Avliose  memory  the  Lyman 
Fountain  was  erected,  was  born  in  Boston,  February  20,  1792. 
From  a  memoir  prepared  by  his  son,  Colonel  Theodore  Lyman, 
at  the  request  of  the  New  England  Historic  Genealogical  So- 
ciety, are  obtained  the  leading  focts  of  his  ftimily  history  and 
public  career. 

He  was  of  the  sixth  generation  from  Richard  the  Pilgrim, 
who  with  his  ftimily  came  to  New  England  in  1631,  in  the 
ship  that  brought  John  Eliot.  Richard's  son  John,  born  in 
England  in  1623,  married  Dorcus  Plum  in  1654,  and  settled  in 
Northampton,  where  his  son  Moses,  born  February  20,  1662, 
also  lived.  His  son,  of  the  same  name,  was  born  in  1689  and 
married  Mindwell  Shelton  in  1712.  He  was  the  tatheroften 
children,  of  whom  Isaac,  born  February  25,  1725,  was  sent  to 
Yale  College,  graduating  in  1747.  Three  years  later  he  mar- 
ried Ruth  Plummer,  of  Gloucester,  and  was  settled  over  the 
Parish  in  Old  York,  Me.,  where  he  remained  during  his  life, 
and  where  his  son  Theodore  was  born,  January  8,  1753. 

This  son,  in  his  early  manhood,  came  to  Boston  and 
achieved  conspicuous  success  as  a  merchant.  For  his  second 
wife  he  married,  in  1786,  Lydia  Williams,  a  niece  of  Colonel 
Thomas  Pickering.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second 
son  of  this  marriage.  He  received  his  early  education  at 
Phillips  Academy,  Exeter,  N.H.,  and  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  1810.  He  manifested  strong  literary  tastes,  in 
which  he  was  encouraged  by  his  lather,  who,  in  1812,  sent  him 


14  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

to  Edinburgh  to  study  at  its  University.  Here  he  remained 
about  two  years,  living  in  the  family  of  Rev.  Robert  Morehead, 
a  learned  and  eminent  graduate  of  Oxford,  and  under  that 
tutelage  he  formed  close  and  lasting  friendships  with  many 
men  then  and  afterward  distinguished  in  British  letters  and 
politics,  among  them  the  Alisons  and  Francis  Jeffi-ey.  The 
associations  of  those  two  years  of  his  plastic  youth  did  much  to 
broaden  and  strengthen  a  mind  acutely  susceptible  to  all  culti- 
vating and  refining  influences.  His  subsequent  correspondence 
with  Mr.  Morehead  and  his  family,  in  which  familiarly  appears 
pleasant  gossip  about  friends  and  acquaintances  common  to 
both,   has  been  published,  and  is  very  interesting. 

In  the  spring  of  1814  he  visited  France  and  spent  several 
months  there,  during  which  time  the  first  restoration  of  the 
Bourbons  by  the  allied  armies  took  place,  and  upon  his  return 
to  America,  in  the  autumn  following,  he  published  a  spirited 
account  of  his  observations  and  impressions.  Mr.  Lyman  and 
Edward  Everett  were  college  classmates  and  life-long:  friends. 
At  this  time  Mr.  Everett  had  gone  to  Gottingen  for  a  course 
of  severe  classical  study,  and  between  the  two  young  men, 
during  their  separation,  there  passed  much  interesting  corre- 
spondence. One  of  j\Ir.  Lyman's  letters  contained  a  very  vivid 
and  graphic  description  of  the  great  gale  in  Boston  in  the 
autumn  of  1815.  Another,  written  in  1816,  after  an  illness  of 
a  number  of  months,  which  almost  snapped  the  thread  of  life, 
was  devoted  to  an  admirable  analysis  of  his  own  psychological 
processes,  as  he  felt  his  way  back  from  utter  helplessness  and 
exhaustion  to  his  normal  strength  and  activities.  For  the 
more  complete  restoration  of  his  health,  Mr.  Lyman  made  a 
second  trip  across  the  Atlantic,  arriving  in  London  in  June, 
1817,  where  he  remained  for  some  months.  His  purpose  was 
to  join  Mr.  Everett  at  Gottingen,  but  before  doing  that  he  took 
a  run  through  the  Low  Countries,  Prussia,  and  Central  Ger- 
many, meeting  many  famous  men  of  letters,  among  them 
AVolf,  Goethe,  and  von  Kotzebue,  of  whom  he  left  interesting 


BIOGKAriilCAL    SKETCH.  15 

notes.  His  impressions  were  in  no  instance  second-hand. 
They  were  original  and  strong,  and  not  always  in  harmony 
with  the  popular  pictures  created  by  the  literary  hero-worship 
of  the  day.  At  Paris,  again,  he  became  intimate  with  Hum- 
boldt, dcPouqueville,  Gallatin,  Gerard,  the  painter,  La  Fayette, 
and  many  others. 

In  the  autumn  of  1818  Mr.  Lyman  and  Mr.  Everett  left 
Paris  to  pass  the  winter  in  Italy ;  thence  in  early  spring  they 
passed  through  various  countries  and  capitals  of  Southwestern 
Europe,  and  some  sections  at  that  time  but  little  travelled  by 
Americans.  In  the  autumn  of  1819  Mr.  Lyman  returned 
home  and  set  himself  to  putting  Ijefore  the  public  the  results  of 
his  observation  and  study.  In  1820  he  published  a  work  of 
much  merit  entitled  "  The  Political  State  of  Italy."  The  title 
was  hardly  comprehensive  enough  for  the  mattter.  True,  it 
discussed  with  thoroughness  and  accuracy  the  forms  of  govern- 
ment, finances,  and  dominant  political  influences  that  entered 
into  the  complex  history  of  the  various  petty  kingdoms  and 
principalities  of  Italy  at  that  time  ;  but  the  author,  from  the 
richness  of  his  varied  material,  enlarged  the  field  to  include  the 
constitution  of  society,  its  customs,  superstitutions,  traditions, 
ambitions,  and  even  its  food  and  raiment.  It  was  altogether 
the  freshest  and  most  reliable  picture  of  Italian  life  at  that  time 
that  the  public  possessed.  It  displayed  remarkable  original 
research,  and  was  a  most  valuable  addition  to  the  substantial 
literature  of  the  day.  In  1820,  also,  Mr.  Lyman  delivered  the 
Fourth  of  July  oration  before  the  town  authorities  of  Boston, 
in  which  he  discussed  the  future  of  the  republic,  and  treated 
grave  problems  of  government  with  great  skill  and  wisdom. 
In  1826  appeared  the  first  edition  of  his  most  important  work, 
"  The  Diplomacy  of  the  United  States,"  which  showed  the 
characteristics  of  his  earlier  writings  in  more  conspicuous 
service. 

But  literature  made  onl}^  a  part  of  Mr.  Lyman's  busy 
career.     He  was  much  interested  in  public  affiiirs  of  all  kinds. 


16  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

and  especially  in  the  State  militia.  From  1820  to  1823  he 
was  aide-de-camp  to  Governor  Brooks,  and  from  the  latter 
date  to  1827  he  commanded  the  Boston  Brigade,  and  b}^  his 
strict  discipline  made  it  a  body  of  troops  creditable  to  the 
city  and  State.  In  politics  he  also  took  an  active  interest. 
From  1820  to  1825  he  was  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature,  occupying  a  seat  in  the  Senate  in  1824.  His 
family  traditions  in  politics  were  Federal,  but  he  joined  the 
opposition  to  John  Quincy  Adams,  supporting  first  Crawford 
and  then  Jackson  for  the  presidency.  In  1834  and  1835  he 
was  Mayor  of  Boston,  and  gave  the  city  a  dignified,  fearless, 
and  able  administration,  during  a  period  that  called  for 
unusual  qualities  in  her  chief  magistrate. 

The  several  rows  of  now  beautiful  trees  on  the  Common 
that  radiate  from  the  foot  of  Joy  street,  and  those  which 
throw  their  grateful  shade  across  the  walk  between  the  head 
of  Park  street  and  West  street,  were  planted  under  his  direct 
superintendence,  while  he  urged  the  immediate  introduction 
of  pure  water,  and  presented  to  the  Council  calculations  and 
estimates  bearing  upon  his  recommendations.  Though  four- 
teen years  elapsed  before  his  ideas  were  carried  out,  his  wise 
suggestions  first  gave  public  spirit  an  impulse  in  this  direction. 

But  during  his  terms  as  chief  magistrate,  his  ability  to  deal 
with  sudden  and  grave  emergencies  was  thoroughly  tested, 
as  well  as  his  taste  and  judgment  in  beautifying  and  improving 
the  city.  Whatever  may  be  thought  of  the  population  of 
Boston  to-day  as  compared  with  that  time,  it  is  certainly  more 
law-respecting  and  less  inclined  to  violent  outbreaks  now  than 
then.  The  burning  of  the  Catholic  convent  at  Charlestown, 
the  inflammable  condition  of  the  public  mind  toward  the 
Catholic  institutions  of  the  city,  and  the  mob  demonstration 
from  which  Garrison  barely  escaped  with  his  life,  were 
formidable  situations  under  Mayor  layman's  administration ; 
but  he  handled  them  with  admirable  tact  and  success  ;  for  it 
was  due  to  his  sagacity,  presence  of  mind,  and  firmness,  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  17 

the  results  were  no  more  terrible.  Mr,  Garrison  promptly 
declared  that  "  under  God  he  owed  his  life  to  the  Mayor,"  and 
the  same  might  have  been  said  of  many  other  lives  which 
would  have  been  sacrificed  had  a  weak  or  timid  man  been  in 
the  Mayor's  place. 

His  public  life  closed  with  his  second  term  as  INIayor.  In 
1835  he  lost  his  eldest  daughter,  a  child  of  great  promise  ; 
and  in  the  following  year  his  wife,  whom  he  loved  with 
the  full  strength  of  his  manly  nature,  also  died.  This 
double  bereavement  almost  overpowered  him.  The  cloud 
never  entirely  lifted,  but  the  philanthropic  spirit,  always 
characteristic  of  him,  shone  out  more  1)rightly  than  ever. 
Henceforth  he  devoted  his  time,  talents,  and  money  to  elevat- 
ing and  alleviating  the  conditions  of  others.  He  became 
profoundly  interested  in  the  question  of  raising  the  poor 
and  criminal  classes,  and  especially  youthful  criminals  whose 
natures  had  not  grown  rigid  in  vice  and  depravity. 

In  the  spring  of  1846  a  Legislative  committee  reported 
a  resolution  for  the  erection  of  a  State  Manual  Labor  School, 
authorizing  the  Governor  to  appoint  three  commissioners  to 
cause  buildings  to  be  erected  suitable  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  three  hundred  scholars.  The  resolution  was  passed 
the  same  spring,  and  ten  thousand  dollars  appropriated  for 
the  purpose.  The  commission  was  created,  and  Hon.  Alfred 
D.  Foster,  of  Worcester,  was  placed  at  its  head.  General 
Lyman  wrote  to  him  ai)pr()ving  the  plan  and  offering  it  his 
aid.  JNIr.  Foster  replied  requesting  General  Lyman  to  give 
his  views  generally  upon  the  plan  to  be  adopted  in  reference 
to  such  a  school.  General  Lyman  at  once  expressed  his 
opinion  that  the  sum  ap})r()})riat(!d  by  the  State  was  too 
small  for  the  [)urpose,  and  otfered  ten  thousand  dollars  more 
on  the  modest  condition  that  the  name  of  the  donor  should 
not  be  puldicly  known.  Near  the  close  of  the  year  he 
offered,  through  Mr.  Foster,  five  or  ten  thousand  dollars 
additional  for  the  same  purpose  if  the  State    would  advance 


18  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

au  equal  sum.  Two  years  later,  when  the  school  was  dedi- 
cated, Hon.  Emory  Washburn  alluded  in  eloquent  terms  to 
the  still  unknown  source  of  the  munificence  that  had  made 
it  possible  to  accomplish  so  much.  That  was  the  beginning 
of  the  State  Reform  School  at  Westboro',  the  model  of  many 
similar  institutions  since  erected  in  other  States.  General 
Lyman  lived  to  see  the  work  well  established  and  to  be  as- 
sured of  its  success.  He  was  seized  with  a  mortal  illness 
while  travelling  in  Europe  in  1849,  and  survived  his  return 
to  Brookline,  the  home  of  his  later  years,  only  a  few  days. 
He  expired  Jul}^  18,  1849.  It  was  then  found  that  he  bad 
devised  the  further  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  the  school, 
making  in  all  a  gift  to  his  native  State  of  $72,500.  He  left 
also  to  the  Farm  School  $10,000  and  to  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  $10,000. 

Within  the  limitations  of  a  sketch  like  this  it  is  impossible 
to  more  than  suggest  what  ought  to  l)e  said  of  its  distinguished 
subject.  As  one  of  the  early  Mayors  of  Boston,  he  made  a 
record  that  will  honoral)ly  endure  while  the  city  continues  to 
have  traditions  and  a  history.  He  was  brave,  noble,  and  un- 
selfish, and  his  life  was  a  blessing  to  his  city  and  generation. 
He  sought  his  service  and  accepted  his  trusts  in  those  fields 
where  he  thought  he  could  do  the  most  good.  He  could  easily 
have  been  a  famous  man  in  national  history.  He  preferred  to 
be  an  eminently  useful  one  in  the  city  where  he  was  born. 

No  honors  that  this  generation  or  the  generations  to  come 
can  confer  upon  his  memory  will  be  too  large  for  its  deserts. 
Whatever  helps  to  keep  that  memory  green,  and  the  character 
of  General  Lyman  before  posterity,  for  the  example  it  ought 
to  be,  will  serve  as  a  memorial  with  living  power,  and  l)e  a 
perpetual  public   benefit. 


THE     FOUNTAIN. 


iHiiiaiii 


THE    FOUNTAIN. 


There  seems  to  have  been  a  special  propriety  in  selecting  a 
fountain  as  the  form  of  a  memorial  of  a  man  wlio  was  distin- 
o:uished  for  pul)lic  spirit  and  public  1)enefactions.  Among  the 
institutions  of  civilization,  in  all  ages,  fountains  have  held  a 
conspicuous  and  honorable  rank.  Pausanias  asks  if  that  can 
properly  be  called  a  city  which  has  "neither  ruler,  gymnasium, 
forum,  nor  fountain."  In  mythology,  in  romance,  in  history, 
and  in  religion,  even  the  Christian  religion,  the  fountain  has 
maintained  a  constant  prominence.  When  Greece  and  Rome 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  world's  civilization,  their  fountains 
were  numerous  and  frequently  elaborate.  There  was  a  super- 
stitious reverence  for  their  kindly  office,  which  associated 
them  with  deities,  nymphs,  and  heroes.  They  were  refresh- 
ing and  beautifying  agencies,  and  miraculous  qualities  of  heal- 
ing and  transformation  were  frequently  attriluited  to  them.  In 
the  decline  of  these  two  great  types  of  ancient  civilization  the 
fountains  suffered  no  degradation.  In  the  evolution  of  barba- 
rian nations  the  fountain  maintained  its  place  and  mingled  its 
traditions  with  all  the  variations  of  pagan  ])elicf.  When  in 
turn  that  began  to  be  supplanted  by  the  Christian  faith,  the 
early  fothcrs  were  too  wise  or  perhaps  too  reverent  to  antago- 
nize the  spiritual  idea  of  which  the  fountain  had  so  long  been  the 
visible  sign,  but  employed  it  with  much  success  in  spreading 
the  new  light  by  substituting  a  saint  for  a  pagan  divinity. 
Even  after  this  became  unnecessary,  the  custom  was  continued, 
and  in  some  portions  of  the  Christian  world  it  still  exists.     A 


22  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

history  of  the  fountains  of  Europe,  could  it  be  faithfully  writ- 
ten, would  be  as  interesting  and  instructive  as  a  history  of  its 
temples,  cathedrals,  castles,  palaces,  or  its  most  celebrated 
monumental  memorials.  It  w^ould  be  a  history  of  art,  of  wor- 
ship, of  national  gratitude,  of  poetic  fanc}^  of  spiritual  evolu- 
tion, of  race  distinctions.  In  short,  the  history  of  civilization 
miffht  almost  be  constructed  with  the  fountain  as  the  central  idea. 

Eaton  square,  the  site  of  the  Lyman  Fountain,  is  a  most  in- 
viting situation  for  a  work  of  this  kind.  It  is  a  sightly  and 
beautiful  spot  and  the  centre  of  beautiful  environs.  It  lies  in 
historic  Dorchester,  one  of  the  gems  in  the  resplendent  circle 
of  new  Boston,  whose  attractions  are  rapidly  filling  it  with  a 
resident  population  of  wealth  and  taste.  It  is  easy  of  access, 
and  the  enterprise  that  is  constantly  responding  to  the  demands 
of  the  public  by  developing  increased  conveniences  of  travel, 
will  make  it  every  year  more  accessible.  The  idea  of  setting 
up  a  handsome  fountain  upon  this  most  eligible  square,  to  help 
perpetuate  the  name  and  commemorate  the  eminent  services  of 
one  of  Boston's  most  distinguished  citizens  and  unselfish  bene- 
factors, originated  with  Hon.  Nahum  Capen.  A  result  has 
been  achieved  for  which  the  city  has  abundant  reason  to  thank 
him  and  the  other  gentlemen  who  entered  so  heartily  and  gen- 
erously into  the  plan,  which  seemed  to  receive  tlie  approval 
and  substantial  encouragement  of  almost  every  man  to  whom  it 
was  presented. 

When  the  private  subscription  was  closed,  the  following 
contributors  were  appointed  a  committee  to  petition  the  city 
for  an  amount  to  be  added  from  the  "Phillips  Fund,"  viz.  :  — 

Hon.  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  H.  II.  Hunnewell, 

Abbott  Lawrence,  J.  Ingersoll  Bowditch, 

Fred.  L.  Ames,  S.  D.  Warren, 

Wm.  Perkins,  Samuel  Atherton, 

Henry  L.  Pierce,  Nahum  Capen, 

and  Mr.  Capen  was  authorized   to  present  the  petition  to  the 


THE    FOUNTAIN.  23 

City  Government,  which  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
the  Common.  The  sums  asked  were  promptly  recommended 
and  unanimously  granted. 

The  fountain  is  a  highly  ornamental  structure  of  original 
design  and  fine  proportions,  and  is  believed  to  be  the  highest 
and  handsomest  fountain  in  the  New  England  States.  Its  en- 
tire altitude  is  twenty-six  feet.  The  basin  is  of  Monson  granite, 
and  thirty-three  feet  in  diameter.  The  first  pan  is  twelve  feet 
and  six  inches  in  diameter ;  the  second  pan  six  feet  and  eight 
inches.  The  surmounting  group  of  figures  represents  Venus, 
Cupid,  and  swan,  while  the  figures  about  the  pedestal  stand  for 
the  four  seasons.  The  supply  of  water  is  from  three  pipes 
attached  to  a  three-inch  main,  a  sixty-pound  pressure  providing 
ample  force.  One  of  these  pipes  discharges  through  the  swan's 
mouth  and  through  four  dragons  on  the  first  pedestal  and  four 
griffins,  between  the  first  and  second  pans.  Another  furnishes 
a  supply  for  one  hundred  and  forty-four  jets  in  the  rim  of  the 
first  pan,  and  eighty  in  the  second,  while  the  third  pipe  feeds 
the  four  cascades  at  the  base  of  the  pedestal.  The  water  from 
the  jets  does  not  overflow  the  pan,  but  discharges  through  four 
gargoyle  heads.  The  fountain  proper  is  of  In'onzed  iron  and 
zinc,  and  was  designed  and  constructed  by  Mr.  M.  D.  Jones, 
of  Boston.  His  experience  as  a  designer  and  builder  of  foun- 
tains in  various  parts  of  New  England  has  been  extensive,  but 
this  is  one  of  his  most  ambitious  undertakings  as  well  as  one 
of  his  most  successful  achievements.  The  basin  Avas  con- 
structed by  Mr.  John  Kelly,  a  Boston  contractor.  In  its 
playing  power  the  fountain  has  fully  realized  all  expectations. 
Mr.  Dooguc,  City  Forester,  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the 
work,  and  the  city  authorities  generally  have  seemed  to 
a})prcciate  this  valuable  and  conspicuous  addition  to  our  rapidly 
enlarging  system  of  city  adornment.  Built  with  almost  no 
expense  to  the  city,  the  small  amount  needed  for  its  protection 
and  repair  will  ])v  l)ut  a  trifle  compared  with  the  delight  that  it 
will  constantly  furnish. 


24 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


Cut  into  the  granite  basin  is  this  legend  :  — 


IN    MEMORY    OF 
THEODORE    LYMAN.    JR., 

MAYOR    OF    BOSTON    IN   1834-35. 


And  upon  a  Ijronze  plate  attached  to  the  l)asin  is  the  following 
inscription :  — 


THIS 

FOUNTAIN    AS   A   MEMORIAL 

WAS     ORIGINATED 

BY    NAHUM    CAPEN, 

DESIGNED     AND     CONSTRUCTED 

BY 

M.    D.    JONES.    BOSTON. 

LOCATED 

BY    WILLIAM     DOOGUE,    CITY    FORESTER, 

ACCEPTED     AND     DEDICATED 

BY 

HUGH    O'BRIEN,    MAYOR, 

OCTOBER    24,     1885. 

'-^1^ 


THE    DEDICATION. 


By  common  consent  there  is  no  more  beautiful  month  in  the 
year  than  October,  and  Saturday,  the  24th,  when  the  L3aiian 
Fountain  was  dedicated,  was  one  of  the  most  typical  and  beau- 
tiful days  of  that  sensuous  and  enchanting  season.  The  foun- 
tain was  in  perfect  order,  and  the  best  eflect  was  obtained. 
The  City  Forester  had  deftly  and  tastefully  concealed  the  new- 
ness of  its  immediate  surroundings  with  a  wealth  of  tropical 
luxuriance.  Handsome  equipages  were  drawn  up  on  all  sides  of 
Eaton  square,  and  a  large  and  interested  company  of  prominent 
persons  was  in  attendance.  The  arrangements  contemplated 
delights  for  the  ear  as  well  as  for  the  eye,  and  a  carefully  pre- 
pared musical  programme,  interpreted  by  the  Germania  Band, 
added  interest  and  enjoyment  to  the  general  exercises,  which 
were  conducted  in  the  followins:  order  :  — 


Pl^OGRAMME. 


Prepared   by   J.    G.   Lennon. 


1.  "Marciie  de  la  Reine  de  Saba"  ......  Gounod. 

2.  Pilgrim  So\g  of  Hope     ........  Batiste. 

PRESENTATION   OF   THE   FOUNTAIN   BY   THE   COMMITTEE 

ON    THE    COMMON    TO    HIS    HONOR 

HUGH   O'BRIEN,    MAYOR. 


26 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


'The  Fountain"  (Lines  by  the  Hon.  James  Russell  Lowell;  Music,  a 
Descriptive  Fantasy,  composed  expressly  for  the  occasion,  adapted  to 
the  words,  and  conducted  by  the  composer)        .         .     Calixa  Lavallee. 


[Dedicated  to  the  lion.  Nahum  Capen,  and  sung  by  Mrs.  F.  P.  Whitney.] 


Into  the  sunshine. 

Full  of  the  light, 
Leaping  and  flashing 

From  morn  till  night ! 

Into  the  moonlight. 
Whiter  than  snow, 

Waving  so  flower-like 
When  the  winds  blow ! 

Into  the  starlight 

Eushing  in  spray, 
Happy  at  midnight, 

Happy  by  day ! 

Ever  in  motion. 

Blithesome  and  cheery. 
Still  climbing  heavenward, 

Never  aweary :  — 


Glad  of  all  weathers, 

Still  seeming  best, 
Upward  or  downward, 

Motion  thy  rest ;  — 

Full  of  a  nature 

Nothing  can  tame, 
Changed  every  moment. 

Ever  the  same  ;  — 

Ceaseless  aspiring, 

Ceaseless  content, 
Darkness  or  sunshine 

Tliy  element ;  — 

Glorious  fountain ! 

Let  my  heart  be 
Fresh,  changeful,  constant, 

Upward,  like  thee ! 


4.    "  Dkeams  on  the  Ocean"  Waltzes 


Gungl. 


SPEECHES. 


5.   a.  j  Selections  fkom  Oceron  . 
b.  I  Hallelujah,  from  Messiah 


Weber, 
Handel. 


SPEECHES. 


C.    a.  (  Grand  Polonaise 
i.  \  Coronation  March 


De  Koniski. 
Meyerbeer. 


SPEECHES. 


7.    a.     Selections  of  Popular  Airs, 

b.  March  from  Tannhauser, 

c.  National  Hymn,  "America." 


Wagner. 


THE    DEDICATION. 


27 


Dedicated  to  the  Hon.  Nahnm  Gapeni 


^HE    ReUNTAlN. 


Words  by  the  Hon.  James  Rossell  Lowell. 
Maestoso. 


Music  by  Calua  Lavallee. 


T-T^fiffn^^ 


Ss^^fe^ 


r=a»^-r^ 


ixr^'^J  gJ 


^■'#-  |»    up: 


fc=«=:t 


:]tdi^ 


^ 


:it=*: 


l-i-atz^ 


3^ 


i=I^ 


^ 


cresc 


m^^^ 


j-iyyq 


4: 


>^^ 


i=^= 


28 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


THE   FOUNTAIN. 


± 


d: 


^ 


¥^\)-^ 


^ 


do. 


r 


/ 


j?^ 


f=2- 


■^  ^ 


}kt 


wh^'^^ 


-^1 


^ 


^ 


mr^^~^sw^ 


Voice. 
Energko.  f 


^^ 


#-^(*.  -     1-  ^ 


h~:rrT:^ 


:^ 


-^^'^-'^-^-^ 


1.  In  -  to     the       sun   -  shine, 

2.  Glad  of    all       weath  -  ers, 


In  -  to    the 
Glad  of     all 


i 


s: 


gfes 


3 


S 


# 


1-= 


«/ 


THE    DEDICATION. 


29 


THE  FOUNTAIN. 


■^ 


^ 


^^ 


2^ 


i 


-!• J^ 


sun-shine  full    of   the  light, 
weath-ers  still  seeming  best, 


Leaping  and  flash  -  ing, 
Upward  and  downward, 


g 


J^i^4L- 


t^^t-- 


B^i 


^ — J^ 


^P 


TP^-* 


-9^r-T^- 


^m 


s 


^ 


=^3=^-5' 


i»(: 


Leaping  and  flashing  from  morn  till     night, 
Upward  and  downward  motion    thy     rest, 


b      ff^;^ 


=2=zf: 


-« — ^ 


=1: 


3^= 


^ 


^«i--^-^-d-W- 


7)lf 


^ifcfc 


3=^ 


^: 


:=1: 


P 


-It— f^- 


±p=iait=^^ 


j=^=|:^ 


^-m — *- 


In        -       to      the       moon    -    light, 
Full  of      a  na       -      ture, 


Whi       -    ter     than 
Noth       -  inof      can 


S 


^^^^^^ 


22: 


P 


^. 


J'rqH^'t^ 


Izznqjn:^  i    1 1  giin^^z'l^i'^'dT^  i  -^^-q 


3-""^ 


:*fc:#: 


^ 


b^ 


■SIT" 


J^^ 


t^^ 


t^^ 


-~1 — « — 


30 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


THE   FOtTNTAm. 


$ 


^7=^ 


l^-T- 


ip: 


iI«=rpE: 


:t: 


^ 


-t<^ 


snow, Wav       -     ing     so        flower-like  Waving 

tame,    Chang'd  ev  -  'ry        mo  -  raent,         Ev  -'ry 


^- 


^^B 


■9H7-^ 


.fl.=?2: 


'^ 


-^^—0—^ 


-9^-d 


when  the  winds  blow,  In  -  to  the  starlight.        Rushing  in 

moment  ev      -      erthe  same,  Ceaseless  as  -  pir  -  ing.     Ceaseless  con 


i^z^infe 


<»-^^-^ 


^^: 


_5^ 


-=1:i^=:t: 


4^ 


-^-0- 


-J^ 


tf 


-wMi*^ 


spray, 
tent. 


Happy   at   mid  •  night,       Happy  by  day,  Ever   in 

Darkness  or  sun  -  shine,       Thy  el  -  ements,         Ceaseless  as  - 


;-V 


^i 


^-t 


^m^^ 


■— x- 


^ 


-'^ms^^ 


iSfS 


3tzit 


•^— 5?- 


5=3= 


'=T- 


f 


^^ 


.>. — -- 


THE    DEDICATION. 


31 


THE   FOUNTAIN. 


i 


-1? h 


S 


-t>      •         <^ 


-=^ 


;2-b^ 


2lt 


F55^ 


J^iC 


mo-tiou,     Blithsome  and   cheery,     Still  climbing  Heavenward,  Never   a 
pir-ing.       Ceaseless  con  -  tent,         Darkness  or   sun   -  shine,  Thy  el  -  e  • 


fe^fcicz: 


m 


:Mza>r- 


±^^' 


U 


■<^     *- 


u£^ 


^H^ 


i — ^- 


^^" 


^^ 


.f 


^=^=^» 


Hs — jS  I   r-^ 


In  -  to     the       sun   -  shine, 
Glo-  ri  -  OU3      fouu  -    tain. 


In  -  to    the 
Glo  -  ri  -  ous 


^f'-^T St- 


M 


-e- 


:g=f=^ 


zr 


ff 


sf.. 


s 


-9-^— si- 


^^3^=t 


^ 


32 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


THE   FOUNTAIN. 


:1^-TTP 


If: 


-^- 


sun-shine   full    of    the  light, 
fountain    let    thy  heart  be, 


Leaping  and  flash  -  ing, 
Fresh,  changeful,  con  -  stant, 


^M4- 


^#i^ 


f^fe=i 


fr— gi — S — :J — ^- 


^ 


m 


» 


mf 


f 


^ 


e^= 


:i^: 


-!=1— 


ii 


-=1: 


-«^-«i^ 


D^ 


^ 


1st. 


D.a 


i^=t^: 


?=2r 


Ht— -- 


Flashing  from    morn 
Constant  up  -  ward 


till        night, 
like        thee, 


^EE^ 


Jtfcte: 


^ 


?^i^ 


^- 


^^ 


3-^ 


:s=^ 


i 


~2P 


:«*^-*l- 


"-^ 


2d. 


^ 


night. ... 
thee  . . . 


s 


:t=: 


^^: 


■tgi:^ 


^fc=^: 


:t=: 


^=r=F 


3^ 


=1— in: 


Sya.^^j:*^^ 


9^^=3? 


221 


THE    DEDICATION.  33 


PRESENTATION   OF   THE   FOUNTAIN. 

Mt.  Ida,  Dorchester,  Mass., 

October  24,  1885. 
Mv  DEAR  Sir,  —  I  luivc  the  liouor  to  enclose  a  list  of  the  names 
of  the  contributors  to  the  fund  to  erect  a  fountain  on  Eaton  square. 
Ward  21,  in  honor  of  Theodore  Lvnian,  Jr.,  Mayor  of  Boston  in 
1834-35,  and  in  their  belialf  to  report  to  j^our  lionorable  committee 
that  the  fountain  is  completed,  and  ready  for  acceptance  and  dedi- 
cation. 

Two  thousand  dollars  (S2,000)  have  been  subscribed,  collected, 
and  deposited.  Your  Board  very  promptly  voted  from  the  Phillips 
Fund  the  sum  of  84,050,  and  for  incidentals  §175,  and  the  amount 
of  means  has  been  provided  for  the  full  payment  of  all  demands 
connected  with  said  fountain  and  its  dedication. 
I  am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Nahum  Capen. 
Hon.  J.   II.  Mullane, 

Chairman  of  Committee  on  the  Common,  Boston,  Mass. 

Boston,  October  24,  1885. 

To  His  Honor  Hugh  O'Brien,  J/ayo/-.-  — 

Sir, — The  Committee  on  the  Common  have  tlie  honor  to  present 

the  communication  of  Nahum  Capen,  who  represents  the  contributors 

to  the  Lyman  Fountain,  and  to  ask  your  acceptance  of  said  fountain 

as  the  unencumbered  property  of  the  City  of  Boston. 

Very  respectfully, 

J.  H.  Mullane, 

E.   F.  Leighton, 

CiiAS.  II.  Allen, 

Aldermen. 

J.  D.  W.  French, 

Wm.  Tailor,  Jr., 

CiiAS.  W.  Whitcomb, 

Michael  G.  Lynch, 

John  Gallagher, 

Council. 


o4  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

Mayor  O'Briex  accepted  the  fountain  in  the  following 
appreciative  address  :  — 

Mr.  Chaieman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemex^  —  I  ac- 
cept the  gift  on  behalf  'of  the  city,  and  thank  the 
gentlemen  who  have  had  charge  of  the  erection  of  the 
fountahi,  for  the  faithful  and  creditable  manner  in  which 
they  have  performed  the  work. 

Boston  is  renowned  for  her  beautiful  suburbs,  and 
the  artistic  fountain  you  have  erected  in  Eaton  square 
will  make  this  section  of  our  city  more  attractive  than 
ever.  We  are  indebted  to  the  munificent  gift  of  Jona- 
than Phillips,  who  gave  by  his  Avill  to  the  city  of 
Boston,  in  1860,  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars, 
as  a  trust  fund,  the  income  of  which  shall  be  annually 
expended  to  adorn  and  embellish  the  streets  and  j^ublic 
places  in  said  city,  for  a  portion  of  the  money  used  in 
the  erection  of  this  fountain,  and  also  to  the  generosity 
of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  Dorchester  and  of 
the  city  for  the  balance. 

It  is  also  very  proper  that  the  fountain  should  be 
named  after  one  of  the  distinguished  Mayors  of  Boston. 
Fifty  years  ago  Theodore  Lyman  filled  the  position 
with  great  ability  and  distinction,  and  we  might  say 
that  we  are  now  celebrating  his  semicentennial  as 
Mayor.  He  Avas  a  gentleman  blessed  with  a  large 
property,  and  was  a  munificent  benefactor  of  charita- 
ble institutions.  Li  his  day  and  generation  he  was  a 
public  benefactor,  and  it  is  proper  that  Boston  should 
honor  h's  memory.  I  am  happy  to  know  that  his  son, 
grandson,  and  great-grandson  are  now  on  the  platform. 
It  is  a  name  that  ought  to  be  handed  down  to  posterity. 


THE    DEDICATION.  35 

I  take  great  interest  in  the  affairs  of  Dorchester.  It 
is  a  section  of  the  city  that  is  growing  rapidly,  and  we 
are  now  making  extensive  im23rovements  here,  expend- 
ing more  money  for  sewers  and  streets  than  in  any 
other  section.  While  doing  this  practical  and  necessary 
Avork  we  also  pay  some  attention  to  the  ornamental, 
and  I  again  congratuhite  the  citizens  of  the  Dorchester 
District  on  the  completion  of  their  elegant  fountain. 

After  concluding  his  own  speech,  Mayor  O'Erien  read  the 
following  from  Hon.  Marshall   P.    Wilder. 

Mr.  Mayor,  —  As  I  dare  not  expose  myself  to  public 
speaking  in  the  open  air  at  this  cold  season  of  the 
year,  I  send  you  a  copy  of  what  I  would  say  were  I  able 
to  be  pi'esent  to-day  at  the  dedication  of  the  Lyman 
Fountain. 

Most  gladly  would  I  be  with  you  and  particijoate  in 
the  ceremonies  of  this  occasion  which  is  to  commemo- 
rate the  services  and  the  worth  of  him  whose  name  it 
bears,  and,  also,  to  thank  you  for  your  noble  eftbrts  to 
reform  the  administration  of  our  city  affairs. 

The  Mayor  remarked  that  when  he  commenced  reading  the 
speech  of  Mr.  Wilder  he  was  not  aware  of  the  contents.  If  he 
had  been  aware  of  the  complimentary  nature  of  the  remarks, 
his  modesty  would  have  suggested  that  it  should  he  read  by 
some  one  else. 

We  do  not  sing  from  the  same  psalm-book  of  religion 
or  politics,  but  "  handsome  is  that  handsome  does,"  and 
I  commend  you  for  what  you  have  done  in  this  line  of 
your  duty.       Pardon   this  digression,  and  let  me  say 


36  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

that  I  rejoice  in  the  erection  of  this  fountain  to  bear  the 
name  of  one  with  whom  I  was  well  acquainted,  and  for 
whose  memory  I  have  great  respect. 

I  knew  Gen.  Theodore  Lyman  from  the  day  when 
William  Lloyd  Garrison  was  mobbed  in  the  streets  of 
Boston,  fifty  years  ago  this  very  week,  and  also  from 
the  time  when  he  made  his  first  suggestions  in  regard 
to  the  introduction  of  water  into  this  city.  He  was  a 
generous,  enterprising,  patriotic,  and  benevolent  gentle- 
man. He  gave  us  money  to  sustain  our  Horticultural 
Society  in  its  early  history,  and  at  his  death  he  left  us 
ten  thousand  dollars  more.  He  gave  fifty  thousand 
dollars  to  found  the  State  Reform  School  at  Westboro', 
and  was  ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  for  the  i-elief 
of  sufi'ering  humanity.  His  memory  will  be  cherished 
for  generations  to  come  as  a  benefactor  of  mankind. 

I  knew  the  father  of  General  Lyman,  one  of  the  old 
merchant  princes  of  Boston,  to  whom  we  were  greatly 
indebted  in  his  day  for  our  intercourse  and  trade  with 
China.  I  have  the  honor  to  know  the  present  Theodore 
Lyman,  w^io  honors  this  occasion  with  his  presence  to- 
day. I  would  like  to  know  his  promising  son,  the 
fourth  Theodore  Lyman  in  lineal  descent,  and  I  hope  it 
may  be  continued  through  many  years  to  come.  It  is 
good  blood,  and  the  more  we  have  of  it  the  better  it 
will  be  for  us.  I  believe  in  the  good  policy  of  erecting 
public  fountains,  and  opening  public  parks,  provided  the 
abutters  are  not  too  highly  taxed  for  what  is  no  benefit 
to  them,  and  here  I  beg  to  express  my  gratitude  to 
Hon.  ^N^ahum  Capen  for  the  idea  of  erecting  this  foun- 
tain in  our  good  old  town  of  Dorchester,  and  which  he 
has  so  successfully  brought  forth  to-day. 


THE    DEDICATION.  37 

But  I  will  not  prolong  this  speech.  Suffice  it  to  say 
that  I  give  a  hearty  welcome  to  every  measure  which 
has  for  its  object  the  promotion  of  the  health,  hapi)i- 
ness,  and  salvation  of  mankind. 

Long  may  this  fountain  stand  to  commemorate  the 
name  of  Theodore  Lyman,  and  be  a  comfort  and  bless- 
ing to  the  generations  that  are  to  follow  us.  And  Avhen 
we  have  done  with  earth,  may  we  at  last  meet  around 
that  fountain  of  living  waters  of  which  if  a  man  drink 
he  shall  thirst  no  more. 


Hon.  EoBERT  C.  WiNTiTROP,  who  was  present  as  a  deeply 
interested  spectator  and  listener,  not  expecting  to  participate 
in  the  exercises,  was  next  called  upon,  and  responded  as 
follows  :  — 

You  have  taken  me,  Mr.  Mayor,  entirely  by  surprise. 
I  came  here  Avithout  a  dream  of  being  recognized,  and 
with  no  purpose  even  of  venturing  at  all  on  this  plat- 
form. Yet  I  cannot  be  insensible  to  your  kind  and 
complimentary  notice  of  my  presence,  nor  fail  to 
respond  to  your  call  in  a  few  off-hand  words. 

I  am  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  bear  testimony  to  the 
sterling  qualities  of  a  friend  whom  I  so  much  valued  as 
the  late  Theodore  Lyman.  He  was  somewhat  my 
senior,  but  I  knew  him  intimately  for  many  years,  and 
the  longer  I  knew  him  the  more  I  respected  him.  I 
recall  him  as  a  young  aide-de-camjJ  of  Governor  John 
Brooks,  of  revolutionary  renown.  I  recall  him  as  the 
Captain  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Com- 
pany. I  recall  him  as  the  Commander  of  the  Boston 
Brigade.     I  recall  him  as  one  of  the  early  Mayors  of 


38  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

our  city.  I  was  associated  with  him  for  several  years 
as  a  vestryman  of  old  Trinity  Church.  He  was  a 
model  soldier,  an  admirable  magistrate,  a  gentleman  of 
singuLnr  elegance,  and  a  citizen  of  great  public  spirit. 
His  history  of  the  diplomacy  of  the  United  States 
will  preserve  his  name  in  our  libraries,  and  his  large 
benefactions  have  identified  it  with  more  than  one  of 
our  public  institutions  of  education  and  charity.  I  re- 
joice that  it  is  now  freshly  inscribed  w^iere  all  w^ho 
drinlv  at  this  fountain,  or  who  gaze  with  admiration 
on  its  sparkling  spray,  will  be  reminded  of  so  exemplary 
and  excellent  a  man. 

Following  Mr.  Winthrop  came  Eev.  Peter  Roxax,  who 
said :  — 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen, —  At  the  request  of  my 
venerable  and  enterprising  neighbor,  Mr.  Capen,  I  con- 
sented to  be  one  of  those  w^ho  would  address  a  few 
words  to  you  on  this  occasion.  My  esteemed  friend, 
Mr.  Capen,  must  have  concluded  that  a  clergyman 
would  not  look  much  out  of  place  even  at  the  christen- 
ing of  a  fountain  —  hence  the  invitation. 

The  celebration  in  which  we  are  engaged  to-day 
must  indeed  be  replete  with  satisfaction  to  the  peoj^le 
of  Dorchester,  but  especially  so  to  those  who  I'eside  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Lyman  Fountain,  the 
dedication  of  which  will  also  add  a  new  chapter  to  the 
already  famous  history  of  Meeting-House  Hill.  As 
you  gazed  on  this  beautiful  fountain  3  ou  no  doubt  ob- 
served that  the  four  seasons  of  the  year  were  repre- 
sented by  four  large  figures.     This  indeed  was  a  very 


THE    DEDICATION.  39 

happy  and  appropriate  idea  of  the  designer  of  the  foun- 
tain; for,  let  me  say  for  the  ])enefit  of  the  strangers 
amongst  us,  that  no  better  place  could  be  selected  than 
Eaton's  square  to  give  a  practical  illustration  of  the 
four  seasons  of  the  year.  Why,  occasionally  Ave  have 
the  whole  four  Avithin  the  twenty-four  hours  of  the 
day.  I  sincerely  hope  that  Mr.  Jones  has  built  this 
fountain  as  strong  as  he  has  graceful,  because  it  will 
have  to  contend  with  the  very  stormy  elements  which 
do  us  the  honor  of  an  occasional  visit.  The  thought 
often  came  into  my  mind  that  the  cave  of  the  winds  of 
which  Virgil  wrote  must  have  been  located  upon  Meet- 
ing-House  Hill ;  at  any  rate,  imitating  the  seven  cities 
of  the  Old  World,  that  vied  with  each  other  for  the 
honor  of  giving  birth  to  Homer,  we  might  put  in  a  very 
strong  claim  for  the  honor  of  possessing  the  stormy 
mansion  of  old  ^olus. 

The  good  temperance  people  amongst  us  (and  their 
name  is  legion)  will  take  unto  themselves  a  special 
gratification  at  the  erection  of  this  water  fountain,  and 
will  claim  a  victory  for  their  sound  temperance  prin- 
ciples. Here  let  it  be  remembered  stood  the  old  Eaton 
tavern,  which,  in  years  gone  by,  must  have  been  a  veri- 
table oasis  in  the  desert  to  the  weary  travellers  from 
the  surrounding  towns.  Here  they  stopped  just  to  talk 
matters  over,  and  here,  after  being  somewhat  refreshed 
by  the  conversation,  they  resumed  their  journey  toAvards 
the  metropolis  of  ]N  e^v  England.  When  the  old  tavern 
was  removed,  and  the  land  upon  which  it  stood  came 
into  the  hands  of  the  city,  some  of  us  remember  the 
friendly  and  very  interesting  contest  which  arose  con- 
cerning the  name  to  be  given  to  the  square.     The  many 


40  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

friends  of  old  Captain  Eaton  maintained  that  it  should 
be  called  after  him,  whilst  the  opposition,  which  was 
chiefly  composed  of  the  temperance  people,  claimed 
that  it  should  not,  for  the  reason  that  the  old  tavern 
must  have  been  given  up  at  some  time  or  another  to 
the  sale  —  well,  of  ginger  ale,  and  perhaps  of  ale  that 
might  give  you  ginger,  and  therefore,  a  different  and  a 
better  name  should  be  given  to  the  square. 

Thus  the  discussion  went  on  and  waxed  warm,  until 
the  aldermanic  wisdom,  which  is  always  proverbial  in 
our  city  for  its  profundity,  stepped  upon  the  scene  and 
overruled  the  objection  of  the  temperance  people  by 
giving  to  the  square  its  present  name.  I  can  easily 
imagine  how  to-day  the  good  temperance  people  will 
claim  their  victory,  and  will  point  with  some  pride  to 
the  fact,  that  where  formerly  stood  the  old  Eaton 
tavern  now  stands  this  beautiful  water  fountain. 

I  notice  by  the  inscription  upon  the  stone  in  fi'ont  of 
us  that  this  fountain  is  erected  in  memory  of  one  of  the 
many  honored  and  respected  Mayors  of  our  city. 

Mayor  Lyman  not  only  governed  this  city  wisely  and 
well,  but  to  him  belongs  the  special  credit  of  first  pro- 
posing for  the  people  of  Boston  a  plentiful  suppl}^  of 
good  water.  His  first  message,  a  few  weeks  after  his 
inauguration,  in  1834,  was  an  exhaustive  and  elaborate 
document  on  the  introduction  of  water  into  Boston. 

He  urged  upon  the  members  of  the  Common  Council 
the  great  necessity  of  furnishing  the  people  with  a 
steady  supply  of  pure  and  soft  water.  Thus  was  taken 
the  initial  step,  by  Mayor  Lyman,  in  that  system  of 
water  supply  which  has  proved  to  be  of  such  vast  im- 
portance and  utility  to  our  city. 


THE    DEDICATION.  41 

But  this  was  not  the  only  prominent  act  of  his  ad- 
ministration: there  were  many,  but,  for  the  present,  it 
will  be  sufficient  for  me  to  recall  to  your  minds  the  bold 
and  fearless  stand  which  he  took  against  the  mob  which 
threatened  the  life  of  Garrison,  and  to  remind  you  of 
his  no  less  heroic  and  patriotic  endeavor  to  quell  the 
Ti'uckmen's  riot,  which,  however,  to  his  great  sorrow 
and  regret,  ended  in  the  bui-ning  of  the  Ursuline  Con- 
vent. On  the  day  following  this  lamentable  aifair  on 
Mount  Benedict,  Mayor  Lymau  called  a  meeting  in 
Faneuil  Hall  of  the  law-abiding  members  of  the  com- 
munity, and  at  that  meeting  he  with  many  others 
denounced  in  scathing  terms  the  vandalism  of  the 
rioters.  I  am  informed  by  good  authority  that  Mayor 
Lyman  held  the  opinion  that  the  State  should  have 
made  compensation  to  the  Ursuline  nuns  for  the  de- 
struction of  their  convent  by  the  Truckmen's  riot. 

On  this  very  pleasant  and  happy  occasion  I  can 
assure  you  that  I  am  pleased  to  be  one  of  your  number, 
and,  in  closing  my  remarks,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  say- 
ing that  this  fountain,  though  grand  and  beautiful,  does 
not  confer  too  much  honor  upon  a  character  so  distin- 
guislied  as  that  of  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr. 

Hon.  Levekett  Saltonstall  was  then  introduced,  and 
spoke  as  follows  :  — 

"We  are  asseml^led  on  this  lovely  autumn  day  to  ded- 
icate this  fountain,  which,  while  it  decorates  and  adorns 
oiu'  beautiful  city  and  refreshens  the  senses  with  the 
brightness  and  music  of  its  cr^^stal  spray,  stands  as  a 
monument   of  human   goodness,  to  make  a  record  of 


42  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

a  public  benefactor,  of  a  man  to  be  remembered  for  his 
many  acts  of  beneficence.  His  memory  is  thus  prop- 
erly honored,  and  his  example  may  be  imitated.  It  is 
not  true  that  "  republics  are  ungrateful,"  for  as  time 
passes  on  we  are,  with  statues,  monuments,  and  por- 
traits, handing  down  to  posteritj  the  names  and  the 
forms  of  the  good  and  great  men  who  have  consecrated 
their  lives  or  their  fortunes  to  the  public  weal.  States- 
men, warriors,  naval  heroes,  philanthropists,  —  all  adorn 
the  public  squares,  parks,  and  government  buildings  of 
our  cities.  Aye,  not  only  those  who  have  recently,  or 
within  even  the  present  generation,  blessed  us,  and  the 
older  genei'ations,  but  we  are  placing  in  enduring 
bronze  and  granite  the  venerated  forms  of  Winthrop, 
Harvard,  and  others,  who,  t\YO  centuries  and  a  half  ago, 
exiled  themselves  from  their  luxurious  homes  to  lay  the 
foundations  of  this  glorious  republic  in  the  savage 
wilderness.  Let  other  lands  place  on  towering  pedes- 
tals the  forms  of  kings,  queens,  and  ruthless  conquerors; 
be  it  our  delight  thus  to  rescue  fi-om  oblivion  the  cher- 
ished names  and  memories  of  those  who  lived,  not  for 
themselves,  but  for  their  country  and  their  fellow-men. 
I  know  not  whether  it  be  by  design  or  by  some 
happy  chance  that  the  Fiftieth  anniversary  of  Garrison's 
escape  from  the  Boston  mob  occurs  in  the  same  week 
as  the  dedication  of  this  fountain  to  the  gentle  but 
courageous  man  who  rescued  him  at  the  imminent  peril 
of  his  own  life;  but  it  is  a  most  striking  coincidence. 
I  am  not  old  enough  to  remember  that  eventful  day, 
but  have  heard  many  a  time  the  exciting  story  from  the 
lips  of  those  who  witnessed  the  terrible  scene  of  the 
blind  fury  of  the  mob,  the  calm  bearing  of  the  victim  of 


THE    DKUICATION.  43 

their  frenzy,  of  the  brave,  determined  action  of  Mayor 
Lyman,  who  twice  or  thrice  rescued  him,  ahnost  single- 
handed,  and  saved  his  city  from  indelible  disgrace. 
One  would  rather  face  an  army  with  bannei's,  at  the 
head  of  his  own  legions,  than  to  stand  before  a  mob  like 
that  and  tell  them  it  was  only  over  his  lifeless  body 
that  they  could  reach  the  object  of  their  senseless 
wrath.  This  would  mark  the  man:  it  showed  the  fine 
temper  of  the  steel  in  his  composition.  But  the  work 
of  his  prematurely  declining  days,  as  he  quietly  and 
modestly  —  scarce  letting  his  left  hand  know  what  his 
right  hand  was  doing  —  thought  out  and  perfected  his 
scheme  for  a  Reform  School  for  Boys,  deferring  till  his 
death  all  knowledge  as  to  who  was  the  benefactor  to 
whose  heart  and  mind  and  generous  hand  this  noble 
charity  was  due,  completes  the  portraiture  of  his  admi- 
rable character.  A  pure,  loving,  devoted  man,  of 
unusual  grace  of  bearing  and  manly  beauty,  Theodore 
Lyman  used  the  gifts  of  God  as  His  steward,  and  not 
for  his  own  indulgence.  On  his  deathbed  he  was  true 
to  the  motives  which  had  actuated  him  through  life. 
His  last  act  Avas  for  the  relief  of  others,  especially  for 
the  rescue  of  the  young  and  erring.  Better  then  than 
statue  of  bi-onze  or  marble  this  fountain,  with  its  gush- 
ing streams  and  sparkling  jets  of  water,  an  emblem  of 
his  life  and  of  the  deeds  of  chai-ity  flowing  from  his 
pure  and  generous  heart.  So  long  as  our  city  endures 
may  his  name  there  inscribed  be  an  incentive  to  the 
young  to  form  their  chai'acters  after  his  heroic  mould. 
And  may  it  revive  among  men  something  of  that  cliiv- 
alric  spirit,  that  pure  and  lofty  motive,  which  so  distin- 
guished him! 


44  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Saltonstall's  speech  a  basket  of  flowers 
of  exquisite  beauty  was  handed  to  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  from 
some  unknown  person  or  persons,  to  be  presented  to  Mr. 
Capen. 

His  Honor  received  it,  and  in  his  happiest  manner  said :  — 

It  is  quite  evident,  in  closing  these  interesting  dedi- 
catory services,  that  the  benediction  shonld  come 
from  Mr.  Capen.  He,  of  all  others,  has  been  most 
interested  in  the  Lyman  Fountain,  and  it  is  through 
his  active  and  persevering  labors  that  it  has  been  com- 
pleted. In  recognition  of  his  valuable  services  this 
splendid  basket  of  flowers  has  been  handed  me  to  be 
presented  to  him,  —  which  I  now  have  the  pleasure  of 
doing. 

On  receiving  this  unexpected  testimony,  Mr.  Capen  said :  — 

Mr.  Mat  OK,  —  AVhen  I  came  here  I  had  decided  to  be 
only  a  listener  to  what  was  said  on  this  interesting 
occasion. 

But,  these  appeals,  irresistible  to  me,  in  the  language 
of  jflowers,  in  the  sparkling  streams  from  the  fountain 
before  us,  in  the  numerous  evidences  of  appreciation 
of  what  has  been  done,  overpowers  the  determination 
of  prudence  to  be  silent  in  the  presence  of  others  who 
are  so  much  more  able  to  speak  on  such  occasions  as 
this. 

I  will  not  attempt,  in  language,  to  explain  the  deep 
gratification  I  feel  that  so  many  of  our  influential 
citizens  have  approved  the  memorial  Avhich    for  years 


THE    DEDICATION.  45 

has  occupied  my  mind  and  affection  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  a  distinguished  public  benefactor  whose 
name  and  examples  should  never  be  forgotten.  All 
who  have  honored  this  occasion  with  their  presence 
have  my  best  thanks  and  good  wishes. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


COKEESPONDENCE. 


[From  His  Excellency  Gov.  Robinson.] 

Boston,  October  21,  1885. 
Hon.  Naiium  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 

invitation  to  attend  the  dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain,  on  Eaton 

square,  Dorchester,   on   the    24th  instant,  and   beg   to  express    my 

thanks    for   your   courtesy.     An    engagement   with   the     Executive 

Council  will   necessitate  my  absence  from  Boston  for  two  or  three 

days,  covering  the  date  j'ou  name  ;  therefore  I   shall   be  unable  to 

accept. 

I  am  yours,  very  rcs[)ectfully, 

GEO.  D.  ROBINSON. 


Hon.  Nahum  Capen 


[From  IIou.  ex-Mayor  Gaston.] 

Boston,  October  23,  1885. 


Dear  Sii;,  —  I  have  been  lioping  and  expecting  to  reply  in  person 
to  your  kind  invitation  to  be  present  at  the  dedication  of  the  Lyman 
Fountain  to-morrow,  but  circumstances,  until  now  unforeseen,  will 
prevent. 

The  purpose  of  the  occasion  connnands  my  most  cordial  sj'mpathy, 
and  I  regret  my  inability  to  participate  more  directly  in  the  exercises 
commemorative  of  so  honorable  and  eminent  a  citizen  and  public 
servant  as  the  late  General  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr. 

Very  truly  yours, 

WM.  GASTON. 


50  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


[From  Hon.  ex-Mayor  Pierce.] 

Boston,  Nov.  2,  1885. 
Hon.    Nahcm  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sir,  —  I  sincerely  regret  that  other  engagements  pre- 
vented rae  from  taking  part  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  dedication 
of   the    L3anan   Fountain. 

General  Lyman's   magnificent  public   benefactions  and    his  many 

admu'able  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  deserve  to  be  commemorated  in 

enduring  form,  and  I  can  imagine  no  more  pleasing  form  than  the 

one  chosen. 

Yours  very  truh', 

HENRY  L.  PIERCP:. 


[From  Hon.  cx-Muyor  Rice.] 

Boston,  October  24,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  gratefully  acknowledge    your  cordial  invitation  to 

attend  the  dedication  of  "The  L3Mnan  Fountain,"  but  find  that,  after 

an  absence  of  all  this  week,  I  am  unable  to  accept  it.     Trusting  the 

occasion  will  be  one  of  much  interest  to  its  participants, 

I  am  yours,  very  truly, 

ALEXANDER  H.  RICE. 


[Fromj.Hon.  ex-Mayor  Green.] 

Boston,  October  24,^1885. 
Hon.  Naiium  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sd;,  — I  have  just  returned  from  Groton,  after  an  absence  of 
a  few  days,  and  find  your  courteous  invitation  to  be  present  at  the 
dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain  this  afternoon.  I  need  not  say 
that  I  should  take  great  pleasure  in  attending  the  exercises,  but  the 
accumulation  of  urgent  business  will  |)revent. 

Yours  very  truly, 

SAMUEL  A.  GREEN. 


CORRESPONDENCE.  51 

[From  Hon.  cx-lMavor  Cobb.] 

235  BoYLSTON  Street, 

Boston,  October  20,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  SIr, —  I  thank  you  for  the  courtos}^  of  the  invitation  to 
be  present  at  the  dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain,  and  I  regret  that 
an  engagement  previously  made  to  go  in  another  direction  will  pre- 
vent me  from  uniting  with  my  fellow-citizens  on  this  occasion. 
I  remain,  very  respectful^. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  C.  COBB. 

[From  Hon.  ex-Mayor  Lincoln.] 
Mt.  Everett,  Dorchester,  Nov.  29,  1885. 
Hon.  NahuiM  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  regret  that  circumstances  prevented  my  attendance 
at  the  dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain  on  the  24th  nit.  I  have  a 
great  respect  for  the  memory  of  Gen.  Lyman,  blessed  with  for- 
tune, education,  high  character,  native  talent,  and  because  his  career 
was  eminentl}-  useful  to  his  fellow-citizens.  Few  of  his  generation 
possessed  more  public  spirit,  whicli  lie  illustrated  by  word  and  deed. 
His  name  should  be  gratefully  cherished  by  the  people  of  this  city 
and  Commonwealth.  Any  tiibute  to  his  worth,  however  and  wherever 
situated,  is  appropriate  and  well-deserved. 

Yours  ver}'  truly, 

F.    W.   LINCOLN. 


[From  Hon.  ex-Mayor  Prince.] 

311  Beacon  Street, 

Boston,  October  23,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sir, — When  I  accepted  your  kind  invitation  to  attend 
the  dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain  to-morrow  I  overlooked  a 
promise,  previously  made,  to  dine  with  the  Middlesex  County  Demo- 
cratic Club,  who  have  a  reception  and  dinner  in  honor  of  the  nominees 
of  the  Worcester  Convention . 


52  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

It  would  give  me  much  pleasure  to  be  present  on  the  interesting 
occasion,  for  I  always  entertained  great  respect  and  regard  for  Mr. 
Lyman,  both  as  a  man  and  a  magistrate,  and  it  is  appropriate  that 
art  should  perpetuate  his  claims  to  popular  remembrance. 

Intelligent  and  cultivated,  with  a  strong  will  and  inflexible  courage, 
he  was  fitted  for  any  station  to  which  he  might  aspire. 

He  was  distinguished  by  his  handsome  person,  dignified  bearing, 
and  graceful  manners.  He  was  popular  with  every  class  of  the  com- 
munity, because  of  his  courteous  demeanor  to  all,  and  his  considerate 
regard  for  the  rights  of  all.  As  Mayor  of  Boston  he  faithfully  dis- 
charged his  official  duties,  and  was  the  right  man  in  the  right  place  on 
occasions  which  called  for  the  exercise  of  great  tact,  judgment,  and 
firmness.  It  is  not  extravagant  to  say  that  our  citizens  generally, 
irrespective  of  political  differences  of  opinion,  recognizing  his  private 
worth,  and  appreciating  his  official  services,  hold  his  memory  in 
grateful  esteem. 

Regretting  that  I  cannot  be  in  two  places  at  the  same  time,  and 
hoping  that  you  will  all  enjoy  the  exercises  of  the  occasion, 
Believe  me  very  truly  yours, 

FREDERICK  O.  PRINCE. 


[From  Hon.  ex-Mayor  Palmer.] 

RoxBURY,  October  22,  1885. 
Hon.  Naiium  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sir,  —  I  regret  that  circumstances  will  deprive  me  of 
the  pleasure  of  joining  you  and  others  on  the  24th  inst.  to  honor 
the  memory  of  Gen.  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.  He  was  a  benefactor  of 
the  cit}'  and  State.  He  lived  an  active  and  eminently  useful  life,  and 
left  an  example  that  cannot  be  too  prominently  kept  before  posterity. 
I  trust  the  dedication  will  be  in  every  way  successful. 

Very  truly  yours, 

ALBERT  PALMER. 

[From  Hon.  A.  A.  Lawrence.] 

Brookline,  Oct.  22,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  be  present  at  the 

meeting  designed  to  honor  the  memory  of   the  late  Mr.  Lyman ;  he 


CORRESPONDENCE.  53 

deserved  it  all.  He  was  the  true  type  of  a  })nblic  spirited  Christian 
gentleman.  Such  men  should  not  be  forgotten,  and  your  work  in 
this  particular  will  long  be  appreciated. 

Yours  trul\f, 

AMOS  A.  LAWRENCE. 


[From  Abbott  Lawrence,  Esq.] 

5    COMJEONWEALTH    AVENUE, 

Boston,  October  26,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sik,  — I  regret  extremely  that  I  was  unexpectedly  pre- 
vented from  being  present  at  the  dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain 
on  Saturday.  It  would  have  given  me  pleasure  to  have  participated 
in  the  appropriate  and  interesting  ceremonies  of  the  occasion.  I  well 
remember  Mr.  LAnnan  —  his  elegant  person  and  dignified  bearing. 
He  was  a  most  efficient  Mayor,  —  during  a  period  of  great  political 
agitation  and  excitement  —  a  public  benefactor,  and  a  highly  culti- 
vated and  accomplished  gentleman.  He  commanded  the  love  and 
respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 

To  you  we  are  largely  indebted  for  the  beautiful  fountain  which 
perpetuates  his  name,  and  which,  I  trust,  may  long  stand  as  a  memo- 
rial of  his  exemplary  and  useful  life. 

Believe  me  faithfully  3'ours, 

ABBOTT  LAWRENCE. 


[From  O.  W.  Holmes,  jNI.D.] 

296  Beacon  St.,  Boston,  Oct.  21,  1885. 

Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sir, — I  regret  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  attend 

the  dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain.     With   man}'  thanks  for  the 

cordial  invitation  which  yon  have  sent  me, 

I  am,  dear  sir, 

Verv  trulv  yours, 

O.  W.  HOLMES. 


54  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


[From  Hou.  J.  Russell  Lowell.] 

SODTHBOROUCxII,  Mass.,  Oct.  23,  1885. 
Dear  Mr.  Capen  :  —  I  regret  that  it  will  not  be  iu  1113'  power  to 
be  present  at  the  ver}-  interesting  ceremony  to  which  you  have  been 

kind  enough  to  invite  me. 

Faithfull3'  yours, 

J.  R.  LOWELL. 


[From  President  Eliot.] 

Harvard  University,  Cambridge,  Mass., 

October  22,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  am  directed  by  the  President  of  the  University,  in 
reply  to  your  kind  invitation  for  Saturday,  to  say  that  he  regrets 
that  he  will  be  unable  to  accept  on  account  of  an  imperative  engage- 
ment which  cannot  be  broken. 

Very  truly  yours, 

GEO.  R.  NUTTER, 

Secretary. 

[From  Boston  Water  Board.] 

Office  of  the  Boston  "Water  Board, 

Boston,  October  20,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  Your   kind    invitation    to   this   Board  to  attend  the 

dedication  of  the  Lyman  Fountain  is  received.     We  regret  to  inform 

you  that  other  engagements  will  prevent  our  attendance. 

Thanking  you  for  your  kind  remembrance,  we  are 

Very  trul}'  yours, 

BOSTON    WATER    BOARD, 

By  W.  E.  Swan,  Clerk. 


[From  Hon.  Frederick  L.  Ames.] 

Boston,  October  23,  1885. 
Hon.  Nahum  Capen:  — 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  your  kind  invitation  to  attend  the  dedication 


CORRESPONDEXCE.  55 

of  the  Lyinau  Fountain  at  Eaton  square  to-morrow,  and  regret  very 
much  that,  owing  to  the  funeral  of  a  friend  taking  place  that  after- 
noon in  the  country-,  I  shall  be  unable  to  be  present. 
Yours  trul}', 

FREDERICK  L.  AMES. 


[From  William  Amokv,  Esq.] 

Boston,  December  8,  1885. 
Hon.  Naiium  Capen  :  — 

My  dear  Sir,  — On  a  beautiftd  day  in  October  I  went  at  your 
invitation  to  witness  the  dedication  of  the  tasteful,  beautiful,  and 
appropriate  fountain  monument,  erected  by  the  city  and  friends,  to 
do  honor  to  the  memory  of  Gen.  Lj-man,  there  to  witness  the 
eligibiUty  of  situation,  so  well  selected,  and  skilful  taste,  so  creditable 
to  the  artist,  in  the  plan  and  construction  of  the  fountain  itself.  I 
very  much  admired  the  judgment  exhibited  in  selecting  a  fountain  of 
such  beautiful  proportions,  so  suitably  symbolic  of  one  of  the  first 
pioneers,  who,  in  his  mayoralty,  led  to  the  introduction  of  a  supply 
of  water  into  the  city  of  Boston,  and  was  struck  by  the  superior 
appropriateness  of  such  a  monument  to  the  common  attempt,  almost 
always  a  failure,  even  when  executed  by  the  most  distinguished 
sculptors  in  any  country,  to  represent  in  marble  or  bronze  the  face 
and  form  of  the  person  to  be  celebrated. 

I  thank  you  for  your  request  to  send  you  a  brief  note  to  be  incor- 
porated with  the  proceedings  on  that  occasion,  in  Dorchester,  a  few 
weeks  since. 

But  a  brief  note  must  fail  to  satisfy  the  ardent  loyalty  of  my 
memory  of  one  whom  I  so  much  respected  and  esteemed  as  a  man,  a 
friend,  a  patriot,  and  a  citizen  ;  and  as,  on  the  other  hand,  a  letter 
prolonged  to  the  measure  of  my  interest  in  the  subject  might,  by 
lengthening  the  report  of  your  proceedings,  perhaps  serve  to  impair 
that  combined  brevity  and  completeness  which  I  considered  amono- 
the  merits  of  the  occasion,  I  shall  endeavor  to  condense  what  I 
have  to  say  into  the  smallest  possible  compass  consistent  with  my 
feelings;  and  I  nm  glad  of  the  opportunity,  by  your  permission, 
briefly  and  gratefully  to  scatter  a  few  simple  flowers  on  the  grave  of 
one  whom  I  had  so  long  known  and  admired,  and  whose  memory  I 
am  sure  we  all  delight  to  honor. 


56  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

As  a  boy  at  school,  and  stndeut  at  Cambridge,  though  the  differ- 
ence of  more  than  ten  years  in  our  ages  prevented  anything  amount- 
ino-  to  an  intimacy  between  us  then,  still,  from  my  friends  and  his 
companions,  I  was  taught  to  think  him,  as  I  afterwards  found  him, 
a  man  of  rare  qualities,  fitting  him  for  that  success,  both  public 
and  social,  which  he  so  exceptionally  enjoyed  in  after  life.  I 
had  heard  his  praises  sounded,  and  known  his  example  held  up  as 
a  pattern  to  his  juniors,  in  all  the  essential  qualities  which  elevate 
and  embellish  such  men  as  reach  the  celebrity  to  which  he  after- 
wards attained. 

From  the  lips  of  one  of  my  family  —  I  believe  his  classmate  and 
chum  at  Harvard —  he  was  so  enthusiastically  eulogized  for  his  manly, 
noble  traits  of  character  and  iutelligence  as  to  excite  in  boys  of  the 
time  an  ambition  to  imitate  him  ;  and  l)y  another,  also  of  my  family, 
a  few  years  younger,  who  travelled  with  him  in  Europe,  Mr.  William 
H.  Prescott,  he  was  uniformly  pronounced  the  most  disinter- 
ested of  men.  This  is  high  praise,  considering  that  travelling  to- 
gether for  any  length  of  time  is  the  severest  test  of  disinterestedness 
to  which  any  man  could  be  subjected. 

In  1823,  the  year  of  my  graduation  from  Harvard,  I  had  from  time 
to  time  the  opportunity  to  form  my  own  opinion  of  the  truth  of  the 
eulogistic  records  in  relation  to  Gen.  Lyman  as  displayed  in  his 
subsequent  varied,  responsible,  and  difficult  relations  in  society  and 
the  world,  and  I  found  that  the  impressions  obtained  from  the 
friends  of  his  youth  were  more  than  confirmed  by  my  later  experi- 
ence. 

At  that  time,  being  myself  an  officer  in  tlu;  Boston  Light  Infantry, 
I  came  occasionally  into  contact  with  him  as  brigadier-general  of 
the  militia,  when  he  w:>s  the  observed  of  all  observers,  for  his  manly, 
military  air,  and  masterly  skill  as  commanding  officer ;  and  also,  as 
well  as  I  can  remember,  reputed  to  be  the  first  to  introduce  into  the 
service  many  important  reforms  and  improvements,  and  to  perform 
all  the  duties  of  his  otHce  with  signal  zeal  and  ability,  substituting  for 
the  prevailing  want  of  punctuality  on  all  field-days  (so  wittily  de- 
scribed by  Washington  Irving  in  "  Salmagundi,"  in  New  York)  a 
promptness  and  discipline  hitherto  unknown. 

I  recall  with  pride  the  courage,  vigor,  and  discretion  he  displayed 
at  the  time  of  the  Garrison  Riot  in  saving  the  life  of  Garrison  at  the 


CORRESPONDENCE.  57 

risk  of  his  own,  which  then  excited  in  the  minds  of  the  most  sen- 
sible part  of  this  community  the  most  intense  admiration. 

The  initiatory  steps  taken  by  him  while  Mayor,  which  may  be  said 
to  have  led,  several  years  later,  to  the  introduction  of  a  suppl3'  of 
soft  water  into  this  now  great  metropolis,  are  fairly  attributable,  in  a 
measure,  to  his  enterprise  and  foresight ;  and  the  blessing  bestowed 
on  this  great  community  will  ever  reflect  upon  his  reputation  and 
memory  the  greatest  imaginable  and  constantly  increasing  honor. 

Subsequently,  associated  with  him  as  vestr3--man  at  Trinity  Church, 
I  was  again  charmed  with  his  conduct  and  opinions,  always  earnest, 
consistent,  independent,  but  kind,  as  a  perfect  Christian  gentleman. 

In  order  not  to  trespass  upon  the  time  allowed  me  by  your  permis- 
sion, I  must  now  confine  myself  to  a  simple  allusion  to,  or  enumera- 
tion of,  such  salient  qualities  of  his  character  in  public,  social,  and 
domestic  life  as  have  culminated  in  the  continued  love  and  respect 
for  Mr.  L3'man,  and  in  this  display  of  lioraage,  about  a  third  of  a 
century  after  his  death,  iu  the  erection  of  this  beautiful  monument  by 
his  fellow-citizens. 

To  his  distinguished  appearance,  his  handsome  face  and  figure,  it 
would  be  superfluous  to  allude,  except  to  rescue  from  the  libellous 
effect  of  his  photograph,  in  the  "  Memorial  History  of  Boston,"  a 
false  impression  of  his  personal  advantages,  as  it  fails  to  do  him 
justice,  and  as  it  is  triumphantly  contradicted  by  the  original  living 
representations  now  extant. 

His  public  spirit,  always  prominent  in  this  coramunit}',  as  shown 
by  his  fostering  care,  in  office  and  out  of  office  of  all  our  public  in- 
stitutions of  benevolence,  reform,  charity,  or  education,  and  often 
assisted  b\'  generous  contributions  from  his  own  purse,  entitled  him, 
and  will  ever  secure  to  his  naiue,  the  warm  love  and  attachment 
which  clings  to  it  still,  after  more  than  a  third  of  a  century  .  He 
possessed  a  rare  combination  of  that  fortiter  in  re  et  suaviter  in  modo, 
without  the  union  of  which  force  loses  half  its  strength  and  suavity 
all  its  power. 

His  interest  in  literature,  art,  architecture,  and  horticulture,  and 
his  readiness  to  impart  to  others  in  the  same  pursuits  the  benefits  of 
his  knowledge  in  these  departments,  did  much  to  encourage  tlie  im- 
provement and  embellishment  of  the  private  residences  aiid  public 
parks  of  Boston  and  vicinity. 


58  THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 

His  death,  everywhere  lamented,  took  place  about  1850,  and,  I 
think,  may  fairly  be  called  premature,  though  his  life  slightl}'  ex- 
ceeded half  a  century.  Possessing,  as  he  did,  in  so  eminent  a 
degree,  that  unflinching  courage,  untiring  industry,  strong  will, 
wisdom  and  discretion,  and  with  so  conscientious  an  ambition  to 
benefit  mankind,  and  to  serve  his  country,  his  death,  at  such  a 
critical  moment,  so  short  a  time  before  the  Civil  War,  may  be  consid- 
ered a  public  calamity,  and  therefore  premature. 

His  patriotic  spirit  never  slept ;  and  had  it  been  his  fate  to  survive 
the  Rebellion,  his  judgment,  decision,  and  firmness  would  have 
rendered  him  a  most  eminent  and  intelligent,  wise  and  useful 
counsellor,  in  both  the  State  and  nation,  during  the  arduous  period  of 
the  reconstruction  of  the  Union.  Who  will  venture  to  suggest  how 
much  more  brilliant,  and  how  much  more  brief  might  have  been  the 
"conduct  of  the  war,"  —  the  War  Department  being  under  the 
administration  of  such  a  man,  and  possibly  free  from  the  ignorant 
inteference  of  partisan  politicians? 

In  his  social  and  domestic  relations  he  was  without  a  superior,  or, 
possibly,  an  equal ;  and  he  exercised  in  both  an  influence  still  per- 
ceptible in  his  family,  relations,  and  friends. 

Without  doubling  the  length  of  this  notice,  already  too  long,  I 
have  no  room  for  enlarging  on  the  benefits  secured  to  the  past  and 
present,  and  sure  to  continue  in  the  future,  of  this  Commonwealth,  by 
the  aid,  pecuniary  and  personal,  from  Mr.  Lyman  in  founding, 
endowing,  and  organizing  the  Farm  School,  on  Thompson's  Island,  in 
Boston  Harbor,  and  the  Reform  School,  in  Westboro',  where  annually 
hundi-eds  of  boys  are  rescued  from  crime  and  poverty  by  the  disci- 
pline and  care  of  those  schools,  and  prepared  for  lives  of  usefulness, 
in  prosperous  positions,  among  the  members  of  this  community. 

I  cannot  close  without  venturing  to  express  the  thanks  of  the 
family  and  friends  of  Mr.  Lyman,  as  well  as  in  behalf  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  for  your  interest  and  industry  in  aiding  to  procure  and 
dedicate  this  fountain,  and  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  taste, 
discretion,  and  success  with  which  your  efforts  have  been  deservedly 
crowned. 

Faithfully  yours. 

W.  A  INI  OR  Y. 


THE    CONTRIBUTORS. 


THE    CONTRIBUTORS. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  contributors  to  the  fund  for  erect- 
ing a  fountain  on  Eaton  square,  Ward  24,  in  honor  of  Theodore 
Lyman,  Jr.,  Mayor  of  Boston  in  1834-35  :  — 


Nahum  Capen, 
Rev.  P.  Ronan, 
J.  S.  Gill, 
Oliver  Ditson, 
Christopher  Blake, 
Franklin  King, 
Henry  L.  Pierce, 
Geo.  W.  Coleman, 
A.  N.  Burbank, 
John  Conness, 
Marshall  P.  Wilder, 
John  P.  Spaulding, 
Samuel  Atherton, 
Albert  Morse, 
H.  S.  Carruth, 
E.  A.  White, 
Saml.  B.  Pierce, 
John  Fottler, 
Paul  Sears, 

E.  T.  Loring, 

F.  L.  Tileston, 
Norton  Bros., 


AVm.  T.  Adams, 

Lewis  P.  Bird, 

R.  L.  Barstow, 

N.  Sawyer  &  Son, 

S.  S.  Pierce  &  Co., 

J.  H.  Upham, 

William  Hendry, 

Thomas  Groom, 

W.  L.  Harris, 

Mrs.  A.  A.  Q.  Tucker, 

H.  D.  Dupee, 

Henry  Humphreys, 

Abbott  Lawrence, 

Wm.  Perkins, 

Mrs.  Richard  Baker,  Jr., 

Fred  L.  Ames, 

Wm.  Amory, 

J.  Ingersoll  Bowditch, 

H.  H.  Hunnewell, 

N.  Thayer, 

S.  D.  Warren, 

Amos  A.  Lawrence, 


62 


THE    LYMAN    FOUNTAIN. 


Hazard  Stevens, 
Mrs.  M.  F.  Mallon, 
Mrs.  Walter  Baker, 
E.  Torry, 
E.  J.  Bispham, 

C.  R.  Eliot, 
Wendell  Jones, 

Mrs.  Henry  Callender, 
Chas.  Blaney, 
Geo.  W.  Boynton, 
Jos.  S.  Hyde, 
Dr.  Wm.  P.  Leavitt, 
Jas.  E.  Swan, 
Wm.  W.  Swan, 
Franklin  Holden, 

D.  J.  Cutter, 
Dr.  L.  M.  Lee, 
Henry  Hall, 
Solomon  Hall, 
Wm.  G.  Libby, 
Alonzo  Hamilton, 
J.  H.  Pierce, 


Robt.  C.  Winthrop, 
J.  L.  Little, 
Alex.  H.  Rice, 
Wm.  Claflin, 
H.  P.  Kidder, 
A.  P.  Martin, 
J.  W.  Ricker, 
T.  O.  H.  P.  Burnham, 
Wm.  B.  Bird, 
J.  H.  Beal, 
Benj.  Johnson, 
Thos.  A.  Dunbar, 
P.  H.  Sears, 
R.  T.  Paine,  Jr. 
Florence  Lyman, 
N.  J.  Bradlee, 
Jacob  Sleeper, 
Jordan,  Marsh,  &  Co., 
Andrew  G.  Weeks, 
Norcross  &  Bro., 
Edwd.  Nahum  Capen. 


w.wi  ■■  ^iiio  iiiaii^i  tat  l\j  II  ic  llUldl  y 

from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


